Page 75 of Dukes for Dessert

Juno blinked. “I was hired to ensure Lady Marina is successful on the Marriage Mart. If that makes me a matchmaker, then I suppose I am.”

“You are more than an ordinary companion, then.” He scrutinized her, his dark eyes moving in a languid perusal. “How extraordinary.” The last came out in a low, rough murmur, but then everything he said sounded as if he’d swallowed darkness. She couldn’t say she disliked it. In fact, it was impossible not to rivet her attention to his every word.

Except she refused to do that. Or at least, allow him to realize she was. No man was ever going to wield a seductive power over her ever again. She was the provocative one now, and she was very, very selective.

“You seemed to enjoy Lady Marina’s company,” Juno said, focusing on the only thing that mattered—matching him with Marina.

“She’s quiet and pleasant.”

“Marina—Lady Marina—also enjoyed herself.” Juno purposely used her name, hoping the duke might begin to think of her in more intimate terms.

“Did that include the dance?”

Was that a bit of humor in his voice? Juno couldn’t help but smile. This match could work. “It did not. I’m afraid Marina is not terribly fond of dancing, even when it all goes well. I hope that doesn’t trouble you.”

“Not at all. In fact, I count that as a mark in her favor. I loathe dancing.”

“You dislike a great many things, it seems,” Juno said, not without a touch of sarcasm.

“I see no point in pretending to enjoy things I do not. If I said I liked house parties, I’d be invited to a plethora. If I pretended to love dancing, I’d be expected to gallivant across every dance floor. It’s best to set accurate expectations, don’t you agree?”

Juno found it hard to argue with that. “I admit I find your candor refreshing, if bemusing.”

“You’ll get used to it. Or not. I expect our acquaintance will be rather short-lived.”

He was right. Whether he wed Marina or not, Juno would move on to her next client after her well-earned respite over the holidays.

His hand lifted, and he reached for her ear. She froze, expecting his touch. But it didn’t come. He lowered his arm. “You’re missing an earring. Did you lose it?”

She brought her fingers to her earlobe. “No, I removed it upstairs.”

“I was going to offer to help you find it.”

Was he? He was an odd gentleman. “What do you like, Your Grace?”

He hesitated, one brow moving higher than the other. “Riding. Walking. Being outside. Reading. Chess.” His gaze moved toward a board on a small table flanked by two chairs.

Juno stored that information away, then redirected their conversation lest she continue finding him interesting. There was no point in that. “Marina appreciated your kindness after the dancing mishap.”

His lip twitched, and he glanced away. Juno could have sworn he’d made a soft growl in his throat, but she had to be hearing things.

“It wasn’t a kindness,” he rumbled.

“Whether you meant it as such, it was exactly that.” She wondered if compliments made him uncomfortable. Her mother was like that.

“Here.” He handed her the book, and their fingers grazed as she took it from him.

A flash of heat danced up her arm. She jerked her gaze to his, surprised to find him looking at her with an intensity that matched the warmth suddenly taking over her body.

“Thank you. Good night.” She spun about and hurried from the library, irritated with herself for not discussing tomorrow’s picnic with him. He said he liked setting expectations. She should have told him they would all be sitting together. So he could anticipate it.

She was going to try her best to do the opposite.

After an exhilarating early morning ride on one of Cosford’s finest mounts, Dare was feeling quite fine and fit. He was even looking forward to the picnic. Any entertainment that could be undertaken outside was instantly more desirable.

In fact, he was so eager that he left before thinking to accompany Lady Marina and her companion. He stood gazing out at the lake from the picnic area when the other guests began to arrive.

Lady Marina, her mother, and Mrs. Langton arrived in the middle of the pack. Dare’s attention went first to the companion, positioned between the other two women. She was shorter than they were, her form more petite. Again, she wore a sleek costume that seemed beyond her station. She looked like a member of the family, not a paid employee. Except her blonde hair and green eyes, as well as her stature, were at odds with the dark hair and blue eyes of the taller Fellowes women.

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